XIII.—A Static Model of the Hydrogen Molecule

Abstract

One of the outstanding problems of physics at the present time is that of finding an explanation of chemical combination. Sir J. J. Thomson has done much to bridge the gap between chemistry and physics by attempting to extend the electronic theory of matter so as to explain how atoms may be linked together to form the stable system which constitutes a molecule. To avoid the difficulties inherent in the view that the electrons are describing orbits under forces varying rigorously as the inverse square of the distance, he assumes that the electrons take up definite equilibrium positions under their mutual repulsions and forces exerted by the positive charges. Equilibrium is secured by postulating in the latter case a more complicated law of force than the inverse square, so that the attraction between an electron and a positive charge changes to repulsion at a certain distance.